Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Abigail Nicholson

Confusion as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie appear to leave funeral early

Royal fans were confused as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie appeared to leave their grandmother's funeral early.

As the funeral service at Westminster Abbey was nearing its end, the two princesses were seen getting up and leaving their seats before other royals in the congregation. It was before the Queen's coffin was carried out of the Abbey - and their mother Sarah Ferguson appeared to want to join them although eventually sat back down.

People watching the funeral on TV were left baffled by their seeming early exit from the service - although they were outside with the rest of the royals as the coffin left the Abbey, MirrorOnline reports.

READ MORE: King Charles III owns a Merseyside retail park with a McDonald's and Greggs

One fan asked on Twitter: "Anyone know why Eugenie and Beatrice left mid ceremony? Sarah Ferguson almost left with them but seems to have been told not to?" While another wondered: "Any idea why Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice left the funeral prior to the coffin?"

Before the service at Westminster, King Charles III and his siblings – the Princess Royal, Duke of York and Earl of Wessex – marched behind their mother’s coffin as it travelled the short distance from Westminster Hall, where the Queen had been lying in state for four days, to the ancient Abbey.

Tens of thousands filled the capital to pay their last respects just a few hours after the last person had filed past the Queen’s coffin, bringing to a close the symbolic ritual.

The Queen’s coffin then began its final journey from Westminster Abbey to Windsor Castle where the late monarch was reunited with her beloved husband. Hundreds of thousands of well-wishers flocked to London to line the route through the capital to say their last goodbyes, while millions around the globe watched proceedings on TV.

During the service, Charles was visibly moved and looked close to tears as the national anthem was sung in the Abbey. Prince George and Charlotte were also comforted by their parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, during and after the service.

READ NEXT

Meghan Markle in tears at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral

'Keep going': Jamie Carragher in support as 560 dockers walk out on strike

Sombre moment mourners say final farewell to the Queen

Huge support for mum left stranded in Turkey after being 'thrown from cliff'

Man, 21, arrested after five car crash on Queens Drive

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.